Man United Injury Update: Return Dates Revealed for Two Stars | OneFootball

Manchester United Injury Update: Ruben Amorim Faces Crucial Selection Decisions

Manchester United’s stuttering start to the season continued last weekend as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, a setback that intensified scrutiny on manager Ruben Amorim. The loss, their third in the league this campaign, highlighted once again how crucial a clean bill of health is for a squad that has looked short of balance and consistency.

Setbacks and Silver Linings for Amorim

The match at the Gtech Community Stadium offered few bright moments for United fans. Brentford’s Igor Thiago struck twice, with Mathias Jensen adding another to compound the visitors’ woes. The only consolation was Benjamin Sesko opening his account for the club, but even that felt muted on a day when United lacked their usual aggression.

Amorim was without several key players for the trip to west London. Casemiro served a suspension after his two yellow cards in the 2-1 win over Chelsea, while Amad Diallo was granted compassionate leave following a family bereavement. There was some positive news as Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount returned from injuries, featuring against Chelsea and again in the defeat to Brentford, but they are still working towards full match sharpness.

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Injury Woes Deepen with Mazraoui Out

One of the most pressing concerns for Amorim is the continued absence of Noussair Mazraoui. The Moroccan full-back, signed to bolster both defensive solidity and attacking width, has been battling a thigh injury since pre-season. Amorim addressed Mazraoui’s situation before the Brentford clash, saying the defender would be “out until the international break”.

His potential return date has been pencilled in for 19 October 2025, when United face Liverpool at Old Trafford, but that will depend on his recovery progressing as planned. For now, the team will have to manage without his energy on the right flank, an area that has looked vulnerable in recent weeks.

Positive Signs as Martinez Nears Return

In better news for United, Lisandro Martinez is edging closer to a long-awaited return. The Argentine centre-back has been sidelined since February with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, depriving the backline of its tenacious leader. His absence has been keenly felt, particularly during high-pressure games.

Amorim spoke warmly about the defender’s influence off the pitch: “When you have that injury, you have that time where you recover a lot of things really hard, then there is the boring part where it looks like you don’t go to the next step,” the manager said.

“We miss a lot Licha, especially in this moment, we miss his aggression in everything he does, we miss him.

“But he’s always there in every meeting. In training, he sometimes finishes his and stays to watch the training. We need Licha in this team.”

Martinez has resumed full team training and could be available before the end of the year, providing a timely boost to a defence that has leaked goals too easily.

Balancing Short-Term Results and Long-Term Recovery

For Amorim, entering his second season in charge of Manchester United, the challenge lies in managing the squad’s physical demands without rushing players back prematurely. The pressure for immediate results is mounting, yet the Portuguese coach must tread carefully to avoid further setbacks for his returning stars.

Supporters will be hoping that Mazraoui’s expected mid-October comeback and Martinez’s steady progress can stabilise the team. With a daunting run of fixtures ahead, including the clash with Liverpool, Amorim’s ability to integrate these players back into the starting XI could define United’s trajectory this season.